Firefighters in Hampshire have been working for three days to contain a wildfire in the New Forest. While the blaze is now under control, the Met Office Fire Severity Index (FSI) in the UK suggests there is still a risk of more to come.
The FSI evaluates how severe a fire would become if it were to ignite under current weather conditions. According to the tool, large parts of England are currently at a Level 4 ('very high'), moving towards Level 5 ('exceptional') in the coming days. There are currently also reports of blazes in Nottingham and in parts of Wales.
Expert advice on garden fire safety
This week, the National Fire Chiefs Council said they'd responded to 966 wildfires already this year — compared to the 1,017 they attended during the entirety of 2025. With many Brits worried about wildfires spreading to their own backyards, Metro spoke with Richard Barker, a horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture, who shared his advice on how to protect your garden from wildfires.
Richard says it's important to remove anything that could be 'fuel' for a wildfire, including an unkempt lawn. 'Keep your grass cut short, ideally below 7cm, and cut back trees and shrubs that are close to your home,' he advises. 'Tree branches should be cut so that the lowest growth is six to 10ft off the ground, as this prevents ground fires from reaching trees.'
He also recommends keeping the rest of the garden tidy: 'Flammable debris, such as dead leaves or grass clippings, should be cleared away and disposed of responsibly.'
Watering and firebreaks
Keeping your garden watered during dry spells helps make it less combustible, Richard says. In areas with a hosepipe ban, he suggests using water from water butts or wastewater from your home, but avoiding using this grey water on edible crops.
Creating a fire break around your home is another key step. Richard says: 'If you are able to, you can create a fire break around your home by clearing two to three metres around all sides of your home and garden.' This might simply be raking away dried leaves or twigs, or could even be paving, stones or gravel paths.
Managing compost, mulch, and reflective items
Compost heaps contain a lot of flammable material. Richard advises keeping the heap moist and regularly turning it to help heat dissipate. He also says compost heaps should be kept away from buildings or other structures. If you use mulch, consider switching from flammable bark chippings to alternatives like gravel or rocks.
Mirrors, glass ornaments, or reflective materials should be kept out of direct sunlight, as they can concentrate heat and ignite dry areas. 'If possible, keep these stored away or covered until the risk of fires has ended,' Richard adds.
BBQ safety, shed audits, and cigarette disposal
When barbecuing, Richard says the BBQ should be placed on a flat, stable surface away from fencing, sheds, and trees, and should not be placed on the grass. It should never be left unattended when lit.
Garden tools also need care. Petrol for power tools should be stored in an approved container away from ignition sources and never inside your home. Rags used to apply linseed oil should be submerged in water inside a metal container with a lid, as they can create heat as they dry and may spontaneously combust. 'Do not group oily rags in a pile, and do not discard them into a bin if they have been used to apply oil,' Richard warns.
Cigarettes should not be dropped onto the ground as they could set fire to dead leaves or other dry debris. Instead, stub them out on a non-flammable surface like an ashtray and throw them in the bin once fully extinguished and cold.
